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Where's the frame
April 8, 2021 9:06 PM
GMT
Anxiety, agony, passion and bliss - all intertwined and nicely represented by Daisy. Her six-foot-tall works combine bright colours and stars as if it frames the canvas. Her brush strokes are spontaneous and rough, as her emotion leads her. In this conversation with where’s the frame? And daisy, we talked about life after COVID, her takeaways from the movie Girl, Interrupted (which all of you must go watch!), and how her works always come from the guts.
Elle named you as one of the IBAs or Instagram's British Artist. How do you feel about it? And what do you think is the downside of social media for a young artist like yourself?
I used to be obsessed with the algorithm but since they changed all that, it’s messed things up for so many small businesses and self employed people, so that’s really frustrating. Instagram has been a useful tool for me the past few years and I’ve used it to my advantage but I’m trying to stay present at the studio so I’m shying away from it more.
You use a lot of six-foot tall canvases and sometimes complete with symbols such as stars and layered brush strokes, how important is it for you to have all of the elements incorporated into your work? What does it signify to you?
I’ve been trying not to put everything into each painting but I also love pushing my work to the extreme. I rely on symbols and gestures as a form of expression of anxiety, agony, passion and bliss. Stars are symbols of hope for me.
Can you describe your work in less than 15 words? You can bullet point!
From the guts.
Can you tell us more about your creative process and your work ethic?
I have a very committed work ethic. I believe there is no time to waste and I find it very hard to stop working. I’m obsessed with painting and the feeling of completing a painting. I want to feel that over and over again, so I just keep going. I’ve always had a good work ethic since I was a kid cos I’ve always dreamed big. The only way for a working class kid to make it is if they dream big and don’t stop working. I think about painting and colour and texture a lot. I’m impulsive and manic when it comes to painting and I like to work quick and rough. Moments of reflection come later on in the work. I always lead with colour, emotion or nostalgia.
Your recent works use a lot of hints of pain and aching. Can you elaborate more on the idea or concept behind it?
It’s really important for me to express those kinds of emotions in painting. I’m not trying to reveal everything but I am trying to get the work to a place where you can feel the energy, agony or hope - I want people to be able to feel it radiating off the canvas and be able to relate to it.
Tell me your favourite word in any language, and explain why
Ambivalent - I first heard it in the film Girl, Interrupted and thought it was beautiful and then upon learning it’s meaning it seemed to encompass what I was feeling at the time. It allows for fluidity, of feeling everything.
What do you think is missing in contemporary culture?
Periods of reflection, the ability to slow the pace down and stay present.
If the pandemic is a song, what would it be?
Good Good Things - Descendents
What are you looking forward to the most after the pandemic ends (hopefully soon!)?
I want to see paintings in the flesh and up close. I want to see my friend’s shows. I want to go to the cinema and eat pizza in a restaurant.
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